Millwall defender Shaun Cummings 'delighted' to be back

Right-back in positive mood after getting more match minutes under his belt

A resolute Shaun Cummings spoke of his 'delight' at taking the next step on the road to recovery after passing a second rigorous test on an injured knee that has kept him sidelined since February.

The staunch right-back clocked up 60 minutes against Nottingham Forest U23s on Monday as part of his rehabilitation, helping the young Lions to their first Professional Development League win of the season.

Shaun stressed that his seven months on the sidelines has further fuelled his desire to return to League One action.

"It has been a long road, a long hard road to be fair," he told millwallfc.co.uk. "To get back on the pitch was my aim from the start after the operation and to be out on the pitch is a blessing."

Monday's match action against Forest followed on from a 45-minute display at Birmingham City last week, with the defender's hard work and positive mental attitude rewarded after his spell sidelined.

"It is mentally challenging to be honest," he added. "You just have to keep focused and keep working to the end of what you want to achieve.

"It is a lot of repetitive work which you have to keep focusing on. I was on a machine six hours a day for six weeks. Those are the steps I had to go through to get back onto the pitch.

"I have been out for six or seven months so patience is the key. It is about taking time and getting the minutes in and going from there."

The 27 year-old's inspired performance at the back against Forest drew praise from Millwall U23s boss Justin Skinner.

"When you have first team players you know there is always going to be that bit more quality," he said.

"Younger players give you everything, but at the same time they are still learning and sometimes haven't got that experience that you need to open up matches."